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Ballance has averaged just 9.00 at the World Cup in England's opening four matches and although Hales' numbers (42 runs at 18.00 in seven one-day internationals) are not scintillating, his Twenty20 form has won him many admirers.

England take on Bangladesh in Adelaide on Monday in a match they effectively must win to reach the quarter-finals, but coach Peter Moores refused to discuss their line-up at his media conference on Sunday.

"No, we're not going to have that today. I think like everybody else, we'll wait until the toss of the coin tomorrow," he said.

"We've always had plenty of time to think about our team, which we've done, and we'll speak to the captain and want to keep that until tomorrow. So we're not going to be announcing any team news."

England must win their final two matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, plus hope the Bangladeshis lose to New Zealand to reach the last-eight.

Moores also kept his cards close to his chest when asked about Ballance's form, although whatever team England announces on Monday, it appears their brains trust have already agreed on it behind closed doors.

"He's [Ballance] had a tough time of it. I think he knows that but it doesn't mean he's not a good player," Moores said.

"In any tournament play, you've obviously got to get the best 11 out to win a game. We know we've got a really big game tomorrow against Bangladesh that we've got to win.

"So we thought about what we think is our best team. We always do the same thing. Put out the best 11. We're pretty clear on what that 11 is now, and we'll announce that tomorrow on the toss."

Hales has impressive Twenty20 international statistics - 37.92 average, 138.46 strike-rate - which his supporters believe will eventually transfer to 50-over cricket.